Finished this painting today. I've decided I want to concentrate mostly on animal portraits

[LiberalLoner]

And move away from landscapes for awhile.

Thank you to anyone who looks.

[url=https://postimg.cc/nj4rVCNh][img][/img][/url]

[Docreed2003]

1. That's stunning!! I love the detail!

You've got the talent for portraits for sure!

[LiberalLoner]

38. Thank you so much! ❤️ I hope to keep learning and improve with more practice. I look at work done

By other artists I admire and see how far I still need to go.

[XanaDUer2]

2. Beautiful! Nt

[LiberalLoner]

39. Thanks! ❤️

[Diamond_Dog]

3. Stunningly beautiful!

[LiberalLoner]

40. Thank you! ❤️

[onecaliberal]

4. Very nice painting. You are talented.

[LiberalLoner]

41. Thank you! ❤️

[Ocelot II]

5. Very well done! Love the treatment of the fur and the bright eyes!

Was this done directly from life?

[LiberalLoner]

42. 😂thank you! ❤️ actually a tiger cub in a small zoo in Tucson once

Approached me and butted his or her head against the thick glass, the way kitties do to show affection, and the mom tiger stood nearby watching and exuded friendly vibes too. I remember crouching down as if to pet the tiger cub inches away from me through the glass, and it was such an incredible experience. I felt a moment of bonding with the tiger cub and tiger mother.

I wish I had a photo of them so I could do a painting, but that was one of the memories I had as I painted this.

[Ocelot II]

78. Very cool!

Had a similar experience at the zoo near me - they have a large outdoor enclosure for Amur tigers, the really big furry ones from Siberia. Part of the exhibit is at a lower level where there's glass all the way to the ceiling, and the tigers can go down the hill to watch the people. So I was looking through this window, and a tiger came up to it and I put my hand on the glass and the tiger put her paw on the glass on the other side. I moved sideways and the tiger followed me, then I ran off to the side and she followed me. She ran back and forth on her side of the glass, following me as I did the same on my side. Obviously she was playing with me!

[LiberalLoner]

82. Oh that's so wonderful! Yes it sounds like she had fun playing with you, what an incredible

Experience! I bet she was as interested in you as you were in her!

[Joinfortmill]

6. Magnificent

[LiberalLoner]

43. Thank you! ❤️

[AllaN01Bear]

7. eggscllent.

[LiberalLoner]

44. Thank you! ❤️

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Very nice.

[LiberalLoner]

45. Thank you! ❤️

[MadameButterfly]

9. you have found your calling

This looks like a tiger version of Aslan (am I dating myself? have you guys read the Chronicles of Narnia?).

Is this an oil painting?

You are doing justice to nature and the noble beasts. Keep it up.
I don't know what the rules are on DU but if you have a website I'd like to see it.

[LiberalLoner]

46. Thank you so much, wow!

I don’t think I ever read the books…watched the movie…I think my DH may have read those books as a child.

I think as a child my favorite books were the series of books by Edward Eager….Half Magic and Magic By the Lake, I remember especially fondly.

I also liked some mystery type books as a child….I remember reading the Trixie Belden series of books.

Not sure why I didn’t read that book. Most likely just never ran into it. I did read Bedknobs and Broomsticks….

What were your favorite books as a child?

I did this painting in soft (chalk) pastel. Most of my work is in pastel, because it’s my favorite medium.

One time I read a post by another artist saying they were intimidated by soft pastels because it seemed to them to be trying to paint with colored dust. I had a good laugh over that and thought, he isn’t entirely wrong, that’s actually a pretty accurate description of the medium.

I keep telling myself I need to get into oil painting more because people like oil paintings best, but it’s hard to resist those soft pastels calling me.

[MadameButterfly]

79. I am an oil painter

and I think you'd like it. But in the end you must do what you love, not what other people love (and they will love what you love making, in the end). i love pastels too, but I'm too lazy to take on a medium that needs to be framed under glass. If you don't mind (or you are doing these for reproduction) then it's not an issue.

I loved the major fantasy series: CSLewis, Tolkien, Lloyd Alexander (The High King), The Earthsea Trilogy...i'll look up the books you mentioned (because I still like children's books

Best of luck with your art.

[LiberalLoner]

83. Thank you! I think oil painting is "real" art

I always see it as serious work!

Oh the Edward Eager books are delightful, honestly. I reread them from time to time myself 😍

[cynical_idealist]

10. Great work

Nice kitty :}

[LiberalLoner]

47. Thank you! ❤️

I’ve named this tiger, and painting, “Stephen”

[spooky3]

11. Beautiful! Nt

[LiberalLoner]

48. Thanks! ❤️

[GPV]

12. Holy cow!

[LiberalLoner]

49. Thank you! ❤️

[louslobbs]

13. Very nice work

This is excellent. That look on the tigers face….amazing!

[LiberalLoner]

50. Thank you! ❤️ I think he looks rather peeved, but also very wise.

[louslobbs]

90. I absolutely love the expression on this

Tigers face, not an easy thing to do….it’s really wonderful.

[republianmushroom]

14. You are quite an artist.

Please keep posting your art. I really enjoy it. Thank you

[LiberalLoner]

51. Thank you so much! Thank you for inviting me to keep posting and for the encouragement! ❤️ it

Last edited Sat Jun 17, 2023, 09:30 AM - Edit history (1)

Feels like…I mean when people look and say nice things here on DU about my art….it feels like this song, to me.

Like people are saying, you don’t need to stay in your basement hiding, you can rise and shine and release your light in the world.

Thank you.

I used to post on Twitter but I’ve gotten a random troll or two telling me to kill myself so I left Twitter. I can’t handle even just one or two trolls, too thin-skinned. DU feels safer.

This is the song…

[republianmushroom]

80. Thank you for the music. I did enjoy it.

[arkielib]

15. Very nice indeed!

[LiberalLoner]

52. Thank you! ❤️

[KT2000]

16. Good move -

you see into the soul with those eyes. Gorgeous!

[LiberalLoner]

53. Thank you so much! ❤️ that's what I was aiming for! 😍

[Goddessartist]

17. Absolutely gorgeous! Bravo!

[LiberalLoner]

54. Thank you! ❤️

[CousinIT]

18. GORGEOUS! I'm partial - I adore tigers.

But the detail is astounding. NICE work!

[LiberalLoner]

55. Thanks so much! ❤️ I love all the big cats, too...

[judesedit]

19. You are incredibly talented. Thanks a bunch for sharing

[LiberalLoner]

56. Thank you so much, and thanks for looking and commenting! ❤️ the encouragement means so much to me.

[judesedit]

76. It is certainly deserved

[burrowowl]

20. Beautiful!

[LiberalLoner]

57. Thank you! ❤️

[Karadeniz]

21. Agh! Beautiful!

[LiberalLoner]

58. 🤣 thank you! ❤️😍

[MLAA]

22. Gorgeous! You have such a way with eyes!

The fur looks so soft.

[LiberalLoner]

59. Thank you so much! ❤️ I do have lots of learning to do yet on how to portray fur. I want to improve.

[MiHale]

23. Whoa! Great painting.

[LiberalLoner]

60. Thank you so much! ❤️

[fierywoman]

24. F-ing brilliant! Bravo!

[LiberalLoner]

61. Thank you so much! ❤️

[Ziggysmom]

25. Wow, I thought it was a photograph! Very detailed and lifelike.

[LiberalLoner]

62. Thank you so much! ❤️😍😻

[llashram]

26. so rich

a painted tiger, the tiger in this painting could be a photo. I mean this as my highest compliment

[LiberalLoner]

63. Thank you so much! ❤️ I appreciate the encouragement so much, keeps me going!

[lucca18]

27. Wow! Amazing!

Your landscapes must also be wonderful!😍

[LiberalLoner]

64. Thank you so much! Oh, I struggle a lot. 90% of the time I am terribly disappointed by my painting....

But I can see if I look back over the years, I am slowly getting better, and that gives me some hope.

This page on Pinterest is where I kind of store all my paintings. It’s free so it makes a convenient storage place for me.

https://pin.it/7lcIcPi

If you go there you can see my landscape paintings.

If you prefer not to click links, my user name there is WaitingOnTheWorldToChange

[barbtries]

28. that's great.

i wish i could do that.

[LiberalLoner]

65. Thank you! But you can, you can do far better! ❤️

[LiberalLoner]

66. P.S. I wish so much you were my neighbor so I could share my studio and art supplies with you

And if you had any questions I could answer about how-tos, I’d try to answer.

A lot of times I think art is like learning to play a musical instrument.

You just put in enough time and try to practice some, and you can improve from where you started, and maybe even surprise yourself with your results, sometimes.

The biggest tip I ever learned about art was to slow down. I wanted to make a painting in half an hour but I got better results if I slowed down and used all the tips and tricks from other artists.

I’m watching a lady whose website is called RuffSketchings. She works in pastel pencils and pastels.

Her videos show how she used the grid method (not cheating, the old masters all used these kinds of methods for their paintings) to help ensure the accuracy of the drawing. I am really glad she has those videos out there because I think they will give a big helping hand to new or struggling artists. Really gives people good how-to’s.

[barbtries]

77. i actually have a studio of sorts

after Bekah died, a friend at grief counseling got me into painting. I made some paintings that i like. These days I don't do it much but I really need to get back to it. Still, even though I did make some paintings that I liked, I cannot seem to do realism. Your tiger is so real looking. Lessons might help, but I don't think I'll ever get to the level of skill that you show here.

[MetalMama]

29. Beautiful!

You're very talented.

[LiberalLoner]

67. Thank you! ❤️

[mgardener]

30. Wow

You are very good!

[LiberalLoner]

68. Thank you! ❤️

[thatcrowwoman]

31. Again with the amazing eyes, LiberalLoner. What an elegant portrait!

This tiger looks so strong and regal and ancient, or is it timeless? Those long white chin whiskers tug at my heartstrings. I imagine this tiger could tell me a really interesting story.
Many thanks for sharing.
🕊thatcrowwoman

[LiberalLoner]

69. Thank you so much!!!❤️ the Tiger as a spirit animal represents strength most of all

Thank you so much for looking and commenting 😍

https://www.spiritanimal.info/tiger-spirit-animal/

[Katcat]

32. HOLY COW!

Or HOLY TIGER! That is absolutely fantastic! I can see individual hairs and that blows my mind.

[LiberalLoner]

70. Thank you so much! ❤️ it's been a journey as an artist to figure out how to make fine lines with

Those big sticks of soft pastel!

[marked50]

33. Yes Indeed- beautiful painting

[LiberalLoner]

71. Thank you! ❤️😍

[Rebl2]

34. Wow!

Looks like a photograph! Stunning.

[LiberalLoner]

72. Thank you! ❤️

[PlutosHeart]

35. Well done you!

What medium (s) did you use? As a painter am always interested.

Quite lovely.

[LiberalLoner]

73. Thank you so much! ❤️ soft pastels (sometimes called chalk pastels)...what medium is your favorite?

Do you paint in several?

[PlutosHeart]

81. I sort of thought soft pastels.

Have not spent a lot of time with them but I guess the majority of my paintings were encaustic. But I also dabbled in a few mediums but wax was my most used.

Did some ceramics and installation and even an experimental film once. Some photography. About 20 years ago I put down my brushes for community activism. Several projects. Did try to continue off and on working. Currently, it is not possible but I hope to return to some arts-related outlet again.

My background and most of my life have been immersed in the arts and when I say well done...it has "some" weight.

[LiberalLoner]

84. Wow, thank you! Yes, I feel very grateful for your encouragement and thrilled! 😍 I am

Impressed by how many media you’ve tackled…I am struggling so hard just with soft pastel…I try oil paints now and then and make little watercolor bookmarks and postcards just for fun…it feel even one medium demands more from me in terms of trying to learn and get better, that I despair of ever getting to where I wish I could be as an artist.

Encaustic….those are beautiful but I always worry people might burn themselves with the hot wax, it seems risky.

I remember in grade school, one time in art class they had us shave crayons with a dull knife and make patterns on wax paper with the bits that came off, then the teacher covered it with another piece of wax paper and used an iron to melt the wax. My memory may be faulty but it was something like that, like a grade school form of encaustic maybe? I remember that I liked how it turned out and wished I could do that at home but it wasn’t going to happen.

[PlutosHeart]

86. Have you tried oil pastels?

I think there is much to be said of staying with one thing and pushing it as far as it can go. Spreading myself out so much was both a blessing and a curse. When I used double boilers and such for making my own encaustic paintings, it was always a bit scary tbh. Later on, I worked more on archival papers with isolated grounds and a pre-made encaustic medium in a tin. There is layering and transparency with using it somewhat akin to egg-tempera.

One thing I would say is to consider the toxicity. If you are breathing in the pastels or if working with oil or anything the pigments and solutions can be vile.

Yes! I recall a wax ironing in grade school. Even embedding things like leaves and such in it. Maybe my love of encaustic also stems from Ukranian egg painting in Catholic grade school. And church candles. I always thought of them/my paintings as votives. Guess it was what I was known for really.

I look forward to more of your posts and especially your focus on animals. It heightens awareness in these times which is much needed.

[LiberalLoner]

87. Thank you so much!

Those eggs are so beautiful, such works of art!

Oh that’s so cool you did the wax ironing in school too!

Yeah, I should wear a mask and wear gloves, but I can’t be bothered. I’m over 60 now and don’t expect to live long enough to worry about heavy metal poisoning. Anyway I’ve been wearing lead-based kohl for decades now…I just don’t care.

I’ve tried oil pastels but really don’t like them at all. I love soft pastels, and like oil paints, but not drawn to anything else to be honest.

Pre-made encaustic…I wonder if that is anything like the cold wax medium that can be added to oil paints? I’ve used that…so much fun!

[PlutosHeart]

88. Might be.

I recall it being very expensive and quite soft and lux in feel. Treated the same way as encaustic with heating and buffing.

Well maybe just blow your nose a lot after using pastels.

[Maraya1969]

37. I thought it was a photograph. It took me awhile to realize that

it is actually a painting! Fabulous work!

[LiberalLoner]

74. Thank you so much! ❤️

[niyad]

75. Just. . .WOW. Thank you so much.

[LiberalLoner]

85. Thank you so much! ❤️

[ailsagirl]

89. Excuse me while I pick my jaw up from the floor

Sometimes words are inept but this is sublime!!!!

[LiberalLoner]

92. Thank you so so much! ❤️

[samplegirl]

91. Incredible I know how long

It takes to do all those little brush strokes!
Very beautiful! Wonderful Talent!

[LiberalLoner]

93. Thank you so so much! ❤️ actually I use soft pastels, no brushes, but yeah lots of little marks and

Hours and hours of work…I am doing a cat portrait now as a gift for a friend who lost her beloved cat a year ago and still posts about him and grieves for him. I think a portrait of her beloved kitty will be something she will like.

[samplegirl]

94. Yes she sure will

I had a person who painted me a picture of my last cat of 19 years and it hangs where I paint.
Makes me happy I can look up and still see his face.